Progressive Damage Model Benchmarking for Ceramic Matrix Composite Components in Turbine Engine Applications   2

The Air Force Research Laboratory seeks to develop and transition technology for the certification of life critical turbine engine components utilizing advanced high temperature ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials. Traditionally, life critical engine components are certified and sustained through a damage tolerance assessment approach where part inspection enables safe operation when accurate means are available to predict rate of damage growth. While progressive damage models are well developed and certified for damage tolerance based certification of metal based components, they are not for CMCs. To these end, the Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking to benchmark current capability of progressive damage models for damage tolerance assessment of CMC turbine engine components.